This is an image from video made available by IntelCenter, on Wednesday July 11, 2007, showing Ayman al-Zawahri, Osama bin Laden's deputy. Hours after commandos cleared the warren-like Red Mosque complex... (Associated Press)

(Newser)
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Osama bin Laden is about to declare jihad against Pakistani President Perez Musharraf in a new tape, militant websites vowed yesterday, posting advertisements that usually presage a new recording by one to three days, according to the AP. At the same time, al-Qaida released a video on the same theme from henchman Ayman al-Zawahri.

Al-Zawahri’s documentary-like video spliced interviews and 9/11 footage with the commander's speech, which called Pakistan a Muslim land, but accused Musharraf of “hunting dogs under Bush’s crucifix.” He also promised more fighting in Afghanistan, North Africa and Darfur, while trumpeting US defeats in Iraq and Afghanistan. Senior Taliban officers appear in the tape, signaling the group’s strengthening alliance with al-Qaida.